IT Support & Cyber-security Tips For Your Business
With so many people working, or on a combined remote IT support within the office time, it’s more important than ever to set up and use IT security and privacy protocols that work wherever you are located.
We want to share several tools and policies that you can put in place if you do not have the necessary tech or IT support.
These suggested best practices provide a strong layer of protection to ease the risk of critical data breaches and malware and are well worth the time they take to install.
The list below is by no means extensive, but the steps outlined in this blog provide a strong start to make sure to do your part to stay cyber smart at all times:-
1) Updating your current operating system
Rogue computer hackers, programmers, and coders are generating new malware every day.
All these dangerous computer viruses are harmful to your computers, their operating systems, software apps as well as devices installed on them.
The first step you should work on the latest operating system. New versions of operating systems are released to get rid of bugs, getting integrated with new security features & improvements, and enhance software and hardware compatibility.
So, if your computer alerts you to the availability of new system updates, never try to ignore it.
Before updating your operating system, you should instantly back up all your data and check constantly if your hardware and other solutions are well-suited with all the upgrades or not before installing them.
2) Install a new and upgraded antivirus on all computer devices
As you have to protect your computer against viruses. There are several free and genuine antivirus software programs available in the market such as AVG.
If you decide to use a new and updated antivirus, you have to uninstall all existing antivirus software before installing the new one.
After that, you have to run a full scan of your computer and other devices after installing the software and configure your new anti-virus software to run full weekly scans of your computer devices.
3) Computerize Critical Updates
Some companies take care of their critical updates, but if you are managing your own IT infrastructure then you have to focus on new updates and time.
By doing so, you will make sure that necessary upgrades on notification do not disturb or interfere with your daily work schedule.
Now besides your operating system and anti-virus software, you can grow through the list of critical updates that should be your priority are as follows:-
1) Internet browser
2) Flash Player
3) Adobe reader
4) Firewall
5) All the software & hardware products of Microsoft.
While reviewing and managing all the critical updates, you have to ensure removing all kinds of vacant & obsolete technology.
The obsolete technology has to be removed immediately because it is another potential weak link in the security inside your office.
Any obsolete technology or software is no longer capable of supporting your system and it can create new vulnerabilities.
4. Using highly strong passwords
The most secure passwords that can protect your software apps and devices should be long, along with special characters and they should not be used for different accounts, and must not contain any personal information.
Several password management solutions in the market can help you in generating and managing secure passwords for your online accounts.
Example: - You can go for quick IT solutions like Lastpass as it offers free and premium password generation and management services.
5. Limiting local administrative rights & creating a unique account
Even with the best passwords, local administrator rights (LAR) can create a serious weakness issue for some organizations.
All such permission allows any unverified user to install software and change configuration settings, allowing someone the ability to shut off the security controls used to protect an organization’s systems, including password controls and anti-malware software programs.
Besides that, such a user can also install unapproved software, breaking critical applications and causing disruption and downtime for the IT systems of your business.
The LAR system can expose your company to malware attacks, including several different phishing scams that can run code on systems with full permissions if someone clicks on a malicious link or opens infected email content.
Hence to eradicate such a risk, you have to limit or completely remove LAR for hampering or harming your company’s IT infrastructure.
Hence low-level employees should never be given LAR and you can give a separate username and password that is unique & different from that of the administrator.
Final Remarks
Besides that, you can also use cloud server backups as well as enable multi-factor authentication to enhance all your cyber security systems as well as features of IT support and services.
With the help of a cloud server backup, you can store the contents of your computer’s hard drive such as media files and important documents.
Now when it comes to multi-factor authentication, it is an extra layer of security that requires fingerprint and facial recognition locks.
These entire extra layers of cyber security will make sure that the critical IT infrastructure of your business stays safe.